By Brenna R. Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FLORENCE - The city and Boone County still have a way to go before they can meet in the middle of Longbranch Road.

For years, the two governments have been at odds over which should bring water to 22 houses on Longbranch in unincorporated Boone County.

Florence City Council mulled over the county's latest proposal Tuesday night but wanted a map of the area and more information before voting.

At issue is whether the water may come from a Florence water line along Longbranch.

Florence originally said the residents could have the water for a $25-per-month surcharge. Boone County said if Florence wanted a surcharge, the Boone Water District would go ahead with plans to build a $700,000 water line, a portion of which would parallel Florence's line.

"We will work very hard to come up with a compromise so that there is not a need for a duplicate water line to be built in that area," said Mayor Diane Whalen. "I can't think of anything that would be a bigger waste of money, whether it's the Boone County Fiscal Court's dollars or the Boone County Water District's dollars."

Under the latest proposal from Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore, Florence and Boone County would share Florence's water line on Longbranch with "flip/flop" meters recording whether city or county water is flowing through the line.

The residents could tap into the water line without annexation or paying the $25-per-month surcharge.

The Boone County Water District would build a water line from Orleans Road, where the Florence water line ends, to U.S. 42. That would give Florence a way to connect to its Farmview subdivision line and allow Boone Water to connect to its Pleasant Valley Meadows line.

Moore estimated the extension would save Florence $292,000, but City Engineer Bill Viox estimated the savings, from not having to build a connection, at $250,000.

Councilman David Osborne said for years the city has required residents to annex if they want city services.

"And now we are trying to satisfy a small number of people on Longbranch," he said, "and give them the same services that I am paying for as a resident of the city of Florence."

Florence will give the Boone Water District Board its decision before the board's next meeting Feb. 9, Whalen said.

E-mail bkelly@enquirer.com